The Bias of the Media on Iraq

Rudey · #1 09-03-2004, 12:54 PM

I created this thread because all we ever here is about all the bad in Iraq. That isn't saying that the bad doesn't exist and people's lives have not been hurt or utterly destroyed as a result of war.

But what I'm saying is that I can't remember one positive news source in major media outlets. I can find them but only because I read a lot, otherwise it's hidden. I find this upsetting.

-Rudey

#2 09-03-2004, 01:01 PM

Talked with a senior officer/aviator fresh from Iraq. He pointed out how much of a terrible job the media is doing over there. I can't type out the millions of details he focused on but a key note would be the number of troops in hotspots such as Mosul and Fallujah. Approx. 5,000 troops in each city. Where are the other 120,000+ troops? Off rebuilding the entire nation from the ground up. But guess where the cameras are?

Mentioned how every civilian he has met has thanked him and that even though there are a few bad apples, almost everyone can agree that they live in a much better environment now. He also gets at least one e-mail a week from Iraqi friends on the positive progress.

I have even underestimated the progress of Iraq until this particular talk.

RACooper · #3 09-03-2004, 01:19 PM

It's a sad but unfortunate fact that people's interest in positive stories is limited... while negative news always sells.
Another point is that the negative news is more visually interesting than positive news (for the most point)... now when the visually grabbing news was positive during the begin of the War in Iraq, the news agencies couldn't get enough of it... but as the positive news became less visually interesting (expolsions, fires, combat, etc.) the negative news started to come to the fore, as it had the elements that made great newsclips.

So if the news is limited (time wise) in their broadcast schedule, they will focus on the story that will garner more attention.

Rudey · #4 09-03-2004, 01:34 PM

I think Iraq itself has moved out of the media spotlight. I think a nation needs to be fully accepting of death before they can stomach war and they need to also see the good that is the trade off. The fact that information is often traded based on entertainment value is upsetting.

-Rudey

_Opi_ · #5 09-03-2004, 01:36 PM

It's funny this topic is up today because I was having a conversation with a chaledian(?sp) friend 5 minutes ago about what's going on in Iraq. Girls are getting kidnapped and raped left, right and center. Her cousin being one of them. Its also risky opening business to support families because of the instability...so people can't make a living or pay for needed medicine.

Sad, really..I just fail to see the positivity of any war.

Rudey · #6 09-03-2004, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by _Opi_
It's funny this topic is up today because I was having a conversation with a chaledian(?sp) friend 5 minutes ago about what's going on in Iraq. Girls are getting kidnapped and raped left, right and center. Her cousin being one of them. Its also risky opening business to support families because of the instability...so people can't make a living or pay for needed medicine.

Sad, really..I just fail to see the positivity of any war.

Do you have any factual info for this? This thread is for discussing positive news in Iraq and not spreading lies and misinformation such as girls getting kidnapped and raped, left and right.

-Rudey

_Opi_ · #7 09-03-2004, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
Do you have any factual info for this?
-Rudey

Yeah, I do...and its better than what any media outlet will tell me, since reporters don't actually live in the shoes of the Iraqi residents.

Kevin · #8 09-03-2004, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by _Opi_
It's funny this topic is up today because I was having a conversation with a chaledian(?sp) friend 5 minutes ago about what's going on in Iraq. Girls are getting kidnapped and raped left, right and center. Her cousin being one of them. Its also risky opening business to support families because of the instability...so people can't make a living or pay for needed medicine.

Sad, really..I just fail to see the positivity of any war.

Not to sound insensative, but wasn't this happening even before the war?

Was it before or after the war that people had to worry about ending up in mass graves if the country's leader felt that it should be so?

Was it before or after the war that the police cut people's hands off and branded x's on their foreheads because of false charges?

Iraq isn't going to look as law-abiding as the US overnight. Of course, I'm not sure that it really is. Women get raped left and right here too according to crime statistics.

Rudey · #9 09-03-2004, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by _Opi_
Yeah, I do...and its better than what any media outlet will tell me, since reporters don't actually live in the shoes of the Iraqi residents.

You're not an Iraqi resident. You aren't even there right now. And I don't care if your "friend" told you something.

You can't quantify it? You don't even want to read stories from reporters? Next you'll talk about aliens, how Al Qaeda isn't Muslim, etc.

-Rudey

#10 09-03-2004, 03:48 PM

I have agree with KTsnake on the fact that women here in America are raped, molested, victims of spousal abuse, and other crimes of pure hate every day. I do have to disagree on one of KTsnake's points though. America isn't the law abiding beacon everyone wants to let shine through. Crime is abundant in this country. No, we're not acting like the opposing Iraqis but crime happens A LOT here in America such as white/blue collar crimes. I believe a "war" of sorts is happening here in America. The way the U.S.A treats the women citizens in this country is appalling. Although not put in this light usually, women are still treated as if they're property of men to protect. If men really want to protect the women of this country then stop committing crimes against them and expecting them to be their maids of sorts.

I believe that before one goes off trying to save the world that they save their own backyard first. If a country can't do that, then, how can they legitimately go around saving others around the world?

I am not saying Sadam Hussein didn't need to be taken out of power but I believe this thread is trying to make war seem like a vacation in the Caribbean. War = negative. If you don't like the negativity of war, then, don't support it. BTW, I am not saying war is never going to happen again or that sometimes war isn't a necessity (a necessity only when in dire situations). As long as humans are in power, war, atrocities, and mistakes are going to happen.

Rudey · #11 09-03-2004, 03:59 PM

Al-Shaikhly also says that despite the difficulties, there are improvements in Iraq. "Barely two months in operation, and all the government ministries are active, and people work there on a daily basis. Baghdad has more policemen and security personnel than ever before; all public places and government buildings are secure and we are also working on $1.8 billion investment plan to rejuvenate the economy."

Here is a quote I found by the new Iraqi ambassador to Great Britain given yesterday.

I know I've seen article about things like schools being built and all that. I will try and post as I come across this stuff.

-Rudey

#12 09-03-2004, 04:08 PM

I didn't know that threads were "property"? Also, I can post in any thread I desire. Plus, my thread was on topic and did make sense. I could say some nasty things but I refuse to drop to that level.

Rudey · #13 09-03-2004, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ztawinthropgirl
I didn't know that threads were "property"? Also, I can post in any thread I desire. Plus, my thread was on topic and did make sense. I could say some nasty things but I refuse to drop to that level.

Why don't you concentrate on getting into law school? Nothing you said has anything to do with this thread our favorite little mature girl who came on Greekchat once to insult KillarneyRose and I.

-Rudey

#14 09-03-2004, 07:35 PM

Listen Rudey,

I am not here to fight with you. If that's what you want, then, keep spouting off but I am not going to keep this going. If you have a problem with me, why don't you PM me or would that be the too mature thing to do? Trust me, I have my priorities straight. My priorities have nothing to do with you and are none of your business. Me and KillarneyRose are just fine with one another. If you want to start something with her, then, go ahead, that's your business. I would be on her side, not yours.

PhiPsiRuss · #15 09-03-2004, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by _Opi_
It's funny this topic is up today because I was having a conversation with a chaledian(?sp) friend 5 minutes ago about what's going on in Iraq. Girls are getting kidnapped and raped left, right and center. Her cousin being one of them. Its also risky opening business to support families because of the instability...so people can't make a living or pay for needed medicine.

Sad, really..I just fail to see the positivity of any war.

Women were subject to rape by the former government, which is a fact. If what you claim is true, on the scale that you imply (which it probably isn't,) then its no worse than before.

Ending a genocidal regime not positive? Maybe you can explain the joys and wonders of genocide. It escapes me.